Sketch of Col. Thomas W. Cunningham, St. Charles County, Missouri

>From "A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri, with numerous
sketches, anecdotes, adventures, etc., relating to Early Days in 
Missouri" by William S. Bryan and Robert Rose, Published by Bryan,
Brand & Co., St. Louis Missouri, 1876.
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Col. Thomas W. Cunningham came to St. Charles, from Virginia, in 1830.
His life has always been governed by motives of purity and honesty,
and there is no man in the county or State who enjoys the esteem and
respect of his fellow citizens in a higher degree than Colonel Cunning-
ham.  Public duties entrusted to him have been as faithfully and care-
fully attended to as if they were his own private affairs; and it can
be truly said of him that he has never shirked a responsibility or 
evaded a duty.  He is now in his 77th year, has laid aside the cares
of business, and enjoys himself in the society of his family and the
companionship of his books.  He has been a close student for many 
years, and his library is one of the rearest in the county.  The first
civil office to which the Colonel was elected was that of Public Sur-
veyor of St. Charles County, a position which he filled for a number
of years in the most satisfactory manner.  He was subsequently chosen
Mayor of the city of St. Charles, and made one of the best executive
officers the city ever had.  During the Black Hawk War he served as
Colonel of a regiment, and retained his sword until the late war be-
tween the North and South, when he was forced to reluctantly surrender
it to the military authorities.  Colonel Cunningham married Elizabeth
A. Christman, of Lincoln County, and they had six children: Josepha,
Theresa, Henry A., John C., Thomas S. and Bettie Barr.  Josepha marr-
ied J. H. Aikin of Virginia, and at present resides in Warren County,
MO.  Theresa nad Bettie Barr died in infancy.  Henry A. is a prominent
attorney of St. Louis.  He graduated at St. Charles College and studied
law in his father's office.  His success at the bar has been brilliant,
and though a young man, he has acquired a great ability in the United
States Supreme Court, is at present a prominent candidate for Judge of
the Court of Appeals of Missouri, and will probably be elected, as he
is supported by Democrats and Republicans without regard to party aff-
iliations.  He has traveled extensively in the United States and Europe,
is polished and gentlemanly in his manners, and universally popular.
John C. Cunningham died at the age of twenty seven.  Thomas S. studied
law in his father's office, was admitted to the bar, and is meeting 
with good success for a young attorney.  He was elected to the office
of Public Administrator two years ago.  	

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